Bookbinding



R. C. BAKER Aug. 9, 1932.

BOOKBINDING Filed Aug. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. C. BAKER Aug. 9, 1932.

BOOKBINDING Filed Aug. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R0 6. Zia/Even by Mfiim \W* W Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNEE'ED STATES PATENT QFFICE ROY C. BAKER, OF WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NGR OF ONE-FIFTH T LOUIS A. JONES, OF BELMONT, MASSACHUSETTS IBOOKBINDING Application filed. August 12, 1929. SerialNo. 385,329.

This invention relates to a novel and improved bookbinding possessing great strength and durability as well as neat-ness of appearance, but whose cost of manufacture is low. The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a book having a binding embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the signatures assembled and ready for the application of the super by means of flexible glue;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the signatures with the super applied thereto by glue and also secured by staples;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3, but after the backing or rounding operation;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view after the back lining has been applied;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on line 88 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is illus-' trated therein, there is shown in Fig. 2 a

group of signatures 10 prepared in the usual manner except that the first and last signatures are bound with reinforcing strips 11 preferably made of strong, closely woven cloth, secured by glue or paste to their respective signatures. These reinforcements receive fasteners, presently to be described, which fasten the super to their signatures.

The next step is to apply a coat of time ible glue to the backs of the signatures.

Heretofore, this glue has been allowed to dry r and become set, after which the backing or rounding of the back takes places, and

subsequently another coat of glue is applied to receive the'super. This is because ordinary super is so Weak that it will not withp stand the heavy pressure and rubbing action of the rocking forming block which has a shown, the super is a sheet of muslin having concave surface corresponding to the curvature of the back. According to my invention, however, the super is applied prior to the backing or rounding operation. I am able to do this successfully because I employ a super 12, which is made of material such as starched muslin or crash provided with reinforcing members 13, whose durability, tensile strength and resistance to the wear of bending are greater than that of the remainder of the super.

These reinforcing members may be applied to or incorporated in the super in any appropriate manner, as by incorporating them in the fabric while it is being woven. One convenient method is to provide the warp with reinforcing members, such as flax strings or cords relatively larger and heavier than the remaining strands of the warp. As

to dispense with the second coat of glue heretofore used in applying the super after the backing. Moreover,'the application of the super at this stage instead oflater is advantageous because, during the backing operation, the pressureapplied to the super squeezes the reinforcing members into the backs of the signatures, forming transverse-- grooves therein (see Fig. 8), and the reinforcing members then present no undesirable,

projecting ribs across the back of the binding. On the contrary, after the backing operation, the back of the super presents a smooth, flush surface. Another advantage resulting from the application of the super at this stage is that, during the backing operation, the projecting flaps of the super are shaped about the ridges and are laid flat upon-x the first and last leaves which, with the flaps, are to be glued to the cover boards. This enables the glue to be applied more advantageously and thoroughly through the mesh of the flaps.

Heretofore, one weakness of bindings has been that, with rough handling of the completed book, the signatures break away from the super, leaving the latter in the casing.

When this happens, the flap of the super takes with it a layer of the paper to which it was glued. To prevent this, I secure the reinforcing members of the super to the first and last signatures by fastening means, herein wire staples 16, best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, whose prongs embrace the respective reinforcing members and are driven through the cloth reinforcements 11 and through the fold of the super to the inside of the innermost, nested sheet where the prongs are clinched as at 18. These staples are conveniently applied by a stapling machine prior to the backing operation (see Fig. 3) and, during the backing operation, the bases of the staples are squeezed into the signatures, thus presenting a smooth appearance.

The final operation, before applying the jacket, is to apply a back-lining 19 and headbands 20 see Fig. 5). Then, when a acket 21, of usual construction, with its coverboards 22 is applied in the customary manner, the completed book possesses great strength and durability, yet without unsightly ribs across the outer surface of the back of the binding. The smooth surface is well adapted for the embossing of titles and decorations to the back of the binding.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but without limiting myself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. The combination of a set of signatures having a series of grooves across the back, and a super attached to said signatures and having a series of members received in said grooves, respectively, and having a thickness greater than the remainder of the super.

2. The combination of a set of signatures having a series of grooves across the back, and a super attached to said signatures and having a series of members received in said grooves, respectively, said members being ofl'set inwardly and said super thereby presenting a substantially flush back.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ROY o. BAKER. 

